Now Stanley tells Radio.com: “It’s a very conflicted subject. In one sense there’s no reason to put out any new music, because the delivery systems that are available don’t pay.

“We’re in a situation where artists have to take what they can get, as opposed to what they deserve.

“For me it’s more of a moral issue than anything else – I don’t have to worry about paying the rent, but what about new bands?”

He adds that another consideration is fans’ preference for classic tracks over new ones, and the time it takes for material to be regarded with more warmth.

“A song can only become classic as it gains age,” he reflects. “Fine wine has to age. What makes a song classic is that it endures. You have a time period or an event that’s associated with it. That doesn’t happen overnight.

“Psycho Circus has become a classic. Lick It Up has become a classic. Do I think Hell Or Hallelujah will? Absolutely.”

He’s built up a collection of songs inspired by other musicians – most notably Kiss’ 1976 track Hard Luck Woman, which he wrote with Rod Stewart in mind.

Stanley says: “I was a big fan of the Gasoline Alley,You Wear It Well, Maggie May era of Rod. I thought, ‘I could write one of those songs!’ And I did.

“I wrote a whole lot of songs almost as exercises. Just a few days ago I was playing a song that I wrote in the 80s with Chicago in mind. It sounds like a Chicago song – I love that. It’s like working on a puzzle.”

But his “little treasure trove” will remain at the demo stage, he insists. “I don’t want to put out a grab-bag of odds and ends. That’s not really my style.”